Ball parameters

Nominal diameter (mm)

Pitch circle diameter (mm)

Oversize of radius (µm)

Elasticity modulus (GPa)

Poisson's ratio

Ball cage size (mm)

Maximal contact force (N)

Spindle parameters

Outer diameter (mm)

Bore diameter (mm)

Osculation

Contact angle (°)

Expected contact angle after maximum load (°)

Length (mm)

Elasticity modulus (GPa)

Poisson's ratio

Thermal dilatation coefficient (1/K)

Forces on left spindle end

Force in radial X (N)

Force in radial Y (N)

Force in axial Z (N)

Torque about radial X (Nm)

Torque about radial Y (Nm)

Torque about axial Z (Nm)

Suppressed rotation

Forces on right spindle end

Force in radial X (N)

Force in radial Y (N)

Force in axial Z (N)

Torque about radial X (Nm)

Torque about radial Y (Nm)

Torque about axial Z (Nm)

Suppressed rotation

Thermal loads

Temperature of the spindle (C)

Temperature of the nut (C)

Nut parameters

Type of nut (single/double)

Pretension of double nut (N)

Pretension of double nut (µm)

Outer diameter (mm)

Inner diameter (mm)

Flange diameter (mm)

Flange thickness (mm)

Flange offset (mm)

Osculation

Contact angle (°)

Expected contact angle after maximum load (°)

Length of cylindrical nut (mm)

Length of flanged nut (mm)

Elasticity modulus (GPa)

Poisson's ratio

Thermal dilatation coefficient (1/K)

Ball circulations in cylindrical nut

Number of ball circulations

1st circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

2nd circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

3rd circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

4th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

5th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

6th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

7th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

8th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

9th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

10th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

Ball circulations in flanged nut

Number of ball circulations

1st circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

2nd circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

3rd circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

4th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

5th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Balls

6th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

7th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

8th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

9th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

10th circulation

Min

Max

Middle

Kugeln

Nut flattening due to external ball circulations

Radial distance of the nut flattening (mm)

Length of the cylindrical nut flattening (mm)

Length of the flanged nut flattening (mm)

Total number of balls

Version name Parameters configuration

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At least one of the input values conflicts with other values.
Please review the input fields marked in 'red'.

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Order options

Single simulation report based on static, nonlinear FEA (1000 EUR)

The report includes:

Total deformation
Contact forces for each ball and each contact point (up to four contact points for each ball)
Contact pressures for each ball and each contact point.
Contact angles for each ball.
Length and width of each contact ellipse for all balls and contact points.

Variation of parameters and multiple simulation reports based on static, nonlinear FEA

Selected variables

Please set minimum and maximum value for the selected variables and the number of steps in between them.
The total number of variants and simulation reports will increase with the number of variables you select and steps you set.

Parameters (max 4)	Min Value	Given Value	Max Value	Steps
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Order option

Single simulation report based on static, nonlinear FEA (1000 EUR) Parameter variation with 0 simulation reports based on static, nonlinear FEA (0 EUR) Parameterization with one single(!) Simulation report because you have not selected any variables.

Company name

VATIN

Title

First name *

Last name *

Street name *

Street number *

ZIP code *

City *

Country *

E-mail *

Parameters configuration

Design variables

Designs table

I accept the Terms and Conditions

Torque about Z

Torque about the positive z-axis. The z-axis is coincident with the spindle axis.

(Unit: Nm)

Torque about Y

Torque about the positive y-axis. The y-axis is normal to section plane, and hence not shown in the diagram.

(Unit: Nm)

Torque about X

Torque about the positive x-axis. The x-axis lays in the section plane, pointing upward.

(Unit: Nm)

Torque about Z

Torque about the positive z-axis. The z-axis is coincident with the spindle axis.

(Unit: Nm)

Torque about Y

Torque about the positive y-axis. The y-axis is normal to section plane, and hence not shown in the diagram.

(Unit: Nm)

Torque about X

Torque about the positive x-axis. The x-axis lays in the section plane, pointing upward.

(Unit: Nm)

Axial force in Z

Force in the positive z-direction. The z-axis is coincident with the spindle axis.

(Unit: N)

Radial force in Y

Force in the positive y-direction. The y-axis is normal to section plane, and hence not shown in the diagram.

(Unit: N)

Radial force in X

Force in the positive x-direction. The x-axis lays in the section plane, pointing upward.

(Unit: N)

Axial force in Z

Force in the positive z-direction. The z-axis is coincident with the spindle axis.

(Unit: N)

Radial force in Y

Force in the positive y-direction. The y-axis is normal to section plane, and hence not shown in the diagram.

(Unit: N)

Radial force in X

Force in the positive x-direction. The x-axis lays in the section plane, pointing upward.

(Unit: N)

Suppressed rotation

Normally, the spindle rotation should be suppressed either at the left or right end.
If the spindle rotation is not suppressed, the simulation results could be incorrect.

(Unit: )

Thermal load on the spindle

The thermal load is uniformly distributed over the spindle body. In other words, this is the ambient operating temperature.

(Unit: C)

Thermal load on the nut

The thermal load is uniformly distributed over the nut body. In other words, this is the ambient operating temperature.

(Unit: C)

Elasticity modulus of the ball

Usually, the balls of ball screws are made of steel and the elasticity modulus equals to 210 GPa. In special applications the balls can be made of high performance ceramic materials.

(Unit: GPa)

Elasticity modulus of the spindle

Usually, the spindle of ball screws is made of steel and the elasticity modulus equals to 210 GPa.

(Unit: GPa)

Elasticity modulus of the nut

Usually, the nut of ball screws is made of steel and the elasticity modulus equals to 210 GPa.

(Unit: GPa)

Poisson's ratio of the ball

Usually, the balls of ball screws are made of steel and the Poisson's ratio equals to 0.3. In special applications the balls can be made of high performance ceramic materials.

(Unit: )

Poisson's ratio of the spindle

Usually, the spindle of ball screws is made of steel and the Poisson's ratio equals to 0.3.

(Unit:)

Poisson's ratio of the nut

Usually, the nut of ball screws is made of steel and the Poisson's ratio equals to 0.3.

(Unit: )

Thermal dilatation coefficient

Usually, the spindle of ball screws is made of steel and the Thermal expansion coefficient equals to 12^-6.

(Unit: 1/K)

Thermal dilatation coefficient

Usually, the nut of ball screws is made of steel and the Thermal expansion coefficient equals to 12^-6.

(Unit: 1/K)

Osculation

The osculation is the ratio between the ball raceway radius and ball nominal diameter:
fr = rs/Dw
Where:
fr = Osculation
Dw = Nominal diameter of the balls (mm)
rs = Radius of the gothic arcs of the races ()

(Unit: )

Contact angle

The contact angle is the complementary-angle to the angle built between the contact-normal and the spindle axis.
Higher contact angles lead to higher axial stiffness of the nut.

(Unit: degrees)

Contact angle at maximum load

Leave empty if not known.

When 3D balls (RiBEM) are used
This parameter increases the accuracy of result, by refining mesh at the estimated contact point with the thread, after pay load is applied. If empty, the value of Contact Angle is used.
When Spring balls (RoCS) are used
This parameter can be ignored since the mesh needs no refinement.

(Unit: degrees)

Length of spindle

The spindle length is usually computed automatically and equal to the length of the nut.

(Unit: mm)

Length of cylindrical nut

The length of the cylindrical nut is the largest dimension of the single nut in axial direction.
Leave empty, if the ball screw has a single nut.

(Unit: mm)

Length of flanged nut

The length of the flanged nut is the largest dimension of the flanged nut in axial direction.
If the ball screw has a single nut, the length of the spindle defaults to this length.

(Unit: mm)

Number of ball circulations

The number of ball circulations refers to any thread of the nut ^*. A ball chain is a closed ball circuit, in which the balls circulate when either the spindle or the nut is rotated.

(*) Important note: The number of threads does not influence this parameter.

Axial distance of first ball

Axial distance of the center of the first ball in the circulation to the origin plane of the nut. Only balls in contact with the ball race are taken into account.

(Unit: mm)

Axial distance of last ball

Axial distance of the center of the last ball in the circulation to the origin plane of the nut. Only balls in contact with the ball-race are taken into account.

(Unit: mm)

Average axial distance

Axial distance of the middle of the circulation to the origin plane of the nut. Only balls in contact with the ball-race are taken into account.

(Unit: mm)

Number of balls in contact

Total number of balls in this circulation, that are in contact with the ball race.

(Unit: #)

Ball cage size

The size of the ball cage is the distance between the balls when a cage is available.
If there is no cage, a zero value should be used.

(Unit: mm)

Option for double nut

If this is a double nut, then set this value to 1.
If this is a single nut, then set this value to 0.

Pretension of double nut

The pretension of the double nut represents the amount of axial overlapping in µm between the two nuts of the ball screw.

(Unit: µm)

Lead of the screw

The lead of the screw is the distance the nut travels when the spindle makes one full rotation.

(Unit: mm)

Number of threads

The spindle and nut can have 1 to 4 independent thread paths. Higher number of threads leads to more balls that can carry the loads.

Maximal contact force

The maximum ball contact force is a conservative estimate of the expected maximum contact force between each ball and ball track.
The estimate must be higher than the value determined in the simulation. Gleichzeitig sollte der Wert nicht übertrieben werden, da dies auch die Präzision der Ergebnisse negativ beeinflussen kann.

(Unit: N)

Nominal ball diameter

A ball with the size of the nominal diameter leads to no pretension and no backlash.

(Unit: mm)

Pitch circle diameter

The pitch circle diameter is usually calculated from the corresponding values of:

outer diameter of the spindle and
inner diameter of the nut

(Unit: mm)

Radius oversize of the balls

The radius oversize of the balls is determines the amount of pretension in single nut ball screws. Pretension impedes the rolling elements from creating backlash. In the oversized ball preloading method, slightly oversized balls are used to prevent backlash. The amount of ball oversizing can varry and is directly related to the stiffness of the screw. At the same time, higher pretension leads to faster wearing of the race ways of the balls.

(Unit: µm)

Outer diameter of spindle

The outer diameter of the spindle significantly influences the axial stiffness of ball screw drives. The thicker the spindle, the stiffer the ball screw. An increase of the outer diameter by 50% will lead to approximately 225% more axial stiffness. The total length of the spindle and the type of the bearing supports also influences the overall stiffness.

(Unit: mm)

Bore diameter of spindle

The bore diameter of the spindle is sometimes necessary for better cooling of the spindle. A special coolant flows through the spindle bore.

(Unit: mm)

Outer diameter of the nut

The outer diameter of the nut is the largest centric diameter available in the nut, excluding the optional flange.
Higher outer diameter of the nut leads to a stiffer nut body. This leads to better (more uniform) load distribution on the balls.

(Unit: mm)

Inner diameter of the nut

The inner diameter of the nut is the smallest centric diameter available in the nut.

(Unit: mm)

Flange diameter

The flange diameter is measured on the outer cylindrical surface of the flange.

(Unit: mm)

Flange thickness

The flange thickness is the distance between the two plane surfaces of the flange.

(Unit: mm)

Flange offset

The flange offset is the smallest distance between one end surface of the nut and one plane surface of the flange.

(Unit: mm)

Radial distance of the nut flattening

For external ball circulations, the radial distance of the nut flattening is the distance btween the flat surface and the ball screw axis.
A zero value indicates an internal ball circulation.

(Unit: mm)

Length of the nut flattening

For external ball circulations, the length of the nut flattening is the length of the flat surface in axial direction.
Depending how large this value is, the nut flattening will be common to all ball circulations or it will be separated for each of them.

A zero value indicates an internal ball circulation.

(Unit: mm)

Version name

This is the version name of your ball screw configuration.
It should be a single word without spaces.

Forbidden characters are the colon ",", the dot "." and the underscore "_".

Selecting variables for optimization

Use the checkbox to select parameters in the Step 1: Input parameters tab.

Parameters configuration

Order a Finite Element simulation report for this configuration using the Order simulation report button below.
.
Our simulation team will review the configuration and generate a FE model with the help of the Meshparts software. We will conduct the FE analysis and send you the standard simulation report within 3 to 24 hours.
Conduct an in house analysis, copy and paste the configuration into your ball screw assembly in the Meshparts software.
Press the solve button for analysis and further processing.

Existing configuration of parameters

You can quickly insert a complete set of parameters into this input field. The configuration may be taken from a previous simulation report or order confirmation email. The parameter values will be inserted automatically into the corresponding input fields. You will see the updated configuration in the section view.

Help on the configurator for ball screw simulation app

How the simulation report works

Configure your ball screw.
(Optional) Use the checkbox to include parameters for variation
1. In second-tab, below the parameters variation table, input the minimum/maximum values and load steps for these parameters
2. the parameter configuration table generates a combination of possible configuration.
Once the input is complete, request for simulation report.
We generate structural elastic, nonlinear finite element model of the ball screw
We send you the report(s) of the simulation

FAQ

What is the "Configurator for ball screw simulation"?

The "Configurator for ball screw simulation" is an interactive web application for configuration of ball screws. The application graphically shows a cross-sectional view of you ball screw according to the parameters that you enter. The cross-sectional view is updated as soon as you change a parameter in real-time.

What can I do with the "Configurator for ball screw simulation"?

You can use the application for configuring ball screw interactively. There is a Validate inputs button for the detection of parameter conflicts.
Once you finished your ball screw configuration, it can be directly used for the Finite Element Analysis. You can either conduct the Finite Element Analysis using your own license of the Meshparts Software or request a simulation report. If you opt for the simulation report, our simulation team reviews your ball screw configuration and uses our software to generate a corresponding Finite Element model of the ball screw. Afterwards, the finite element computation is started and you receive a standardized, very detailed simulation report. The simulation report is an HTML document containing pictures, animations and graphics of the simulation.

How is the ball screw simulated?

With the help of the Meshparts® software we generate a complete, detailed structural, elastic nonlinear ball screw model based on the parameters configuration. The solution is computed with the help of the finite element analysis (FEA) software Ansys®. The simulation report is automatically generated based on a layout that you set up in the Meshparts Software.

What results does the simulation report contain?

The report includes:

Total deformation in all typical views
Contact forces for each ball and each contact point (up to four contact points for each ball)
Contact pressures for each ball and each contact point.
Contact angles for each ball.
Length and width of each contact ellipse for all balls and contact points.

How much does it cost?

The cost for a single simulation report are 1000 EUR.

If you decide to use parameter variation or optimization, you will get an increasing discount with the number of simulation reports.

General parameters

Ball parameters

Spindle parameters

Forces on left spindle end

Forces on right spindle end

Thermal loads

Nut parameters

Ball circulations in cylindrical nut

Ball circulations in flanged nut

Nut flattening due to external ball circulations

Order options

Selected variables

Total simulation reports: 0
Your price: 0 EUR

Too many simulation reports! Please review the number of steps.

Invalid input!
Please review the allowed upper/lower bound for this parameter:

parent.placeholder

Order options

Selected variables

Total simulation reports: 0 Your price: 0 EUR

Too many simulation reports! Please review the number of steps.

Invalid input! Please review the allowed upper/lower bound for this parameter: parent.placeholder

Total simulation reports: 0
Your price: 0 EUR

Invalid input!
Please review the allowed upper/lower bound for this parameter:

parent.placeholder